“Balkans meet in Trieste”, FM Hoxha: Enlargement is Europe’s strength
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, was among the keynote speakers at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference. Italy’s ANSA news agency organized the event. The conference took place during the 34th General Assembly of the Alliance of Balkan News Agencies – Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE). The Friuli …
FM Hoxha: Kosovo, an independent state and should be recognized; Regional cooperation remains a major priority
Speaking at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference, Hoxha also addressed Albania’s positions on Kosovo, stressing that Albania considers it an independent state that should receive international recognition. “We have fundamental differences with Serbia over Kosovo,” he said. “Kosovo is an independent state and should be recognized.” At the same …
Gjirokastër’s Cold War Museum unveils new exhibition on Albania’s communist past
The Cold War Museum in Gjirokastër has unveiled a new exhibition inside the city’s historic underground bunker. The central hall now features uniforms worn by soldiers, generals and officials during Albania’s communist era. Visitors can also see banned books, newspaper articles from the 1950s to the 1990s, and publications by …
National Energy Plan Sets 100% Electric Vehicle Target for Public Procurement
Albania plans to gradually shift public administration toward electric vehicles. Under the new target, public institutions must procure new light vehicles that are either fully electric or plug-in hybrids. The target forms part of the revised National Energy and Climate Plan 2020–2030. The plan introduces several measures to cut transport …
Kumbaro at PISA ministerial panel: “We want more spaces where children can excel”
The PISA 2025 results show a major improvement in Albanian students’ performance. Scores rose by 65 points in mathematics, 59 points in science and 50 points in reading. As a result, Albania ranks among the Western Balkans’ strongest performers in mathematics and science. The results were presented in Bratislava at …
BBC: ‘Tirana teeth’: Albania hopes to be the new Turkey for dental work
BBC reports on Tirana’s growing dental tourism industry, as Albania seeks to establish itself as a cheaper alternative to Turkey for international patients seeking dental treatment. Anthony Hook is sitting in a dentist’s chair, grinning toothily into a handheld mirror. He has been asked to pose for photos showing off …
US Embassy: Albania to Play a Key Role in the International Stabilization Force Mission
International Stabilization Force (ISF) Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers held talks with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha and Defence Minister Ermal Nufi. The discussions focused on Albania’s future contributions to the force and its role in supporting the ISF mission. During the meetings, the officials discussed Albania’s …
Mother Teresa Square to Become Pedestrian Zone with Museum and Underground Parking
Tirana plans to transform Mother Teresa Square into a mainly pedestrian public space. The project will move many of the square’s new functions underground. The Albanian Development Fund has launched a tender for the project. It has set a budget limit of 20.8 billion lek, or around €21 million, for …
Albania battles 43 wildfires as 13 remain active
The Ministry of Defence reported 43 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Of these, 13 remain active, while eight are under monitoring and 22 have been extinguished. Meanwhile, 697 local and municipal emergency personnel took part in firefighting and monitoring operations. In addition, they used 68 firefighting vehicles …
UNOPS and Albania join forces to modernise public procurement
The Centralized Purchasing Operator (OBP) and UNOPS have signed a cooperation agreement in Tirana. The agreement is called “Procuring Together for a European Albania”. It aims to strengthen strategic purchasing. It also seeks to improve public procurement. OBP Administrator Jonaid Myzyri signed the agreement. Sabine Kania, Director of the UNOPS …
The Albanian-American organization Albanians for America has reacted to the Hague Special Court’s ruling on former Kosova Liberation Army leaders, saying it disagrees with the judgment and considers it unfair to those who fought for Kosova’s freedom. The organization said the KLA fought for freedom and to protect Kosova’s population. …
French travel media outlet TourMaG.com presents Albania as an increasingly attractive Mediterranean destination, highlighting its historical heritage, distinctive cities, nature and modern development. The article takes readers from Tirana and Kruja to Shkodër and Durrës. In Tirana, it highlights the mix of modernist, communist-era and contemporary architecture, as well as …
The Assembly of Albania will issue a joint statement after the Hague Special Court sentenced four former leaders of the Kosova Liberation Army to a total of 81 years in prison. Assembly Speaker Niko Peleshi said the Assembly had adopted a common position involving all political forces. He described the …
Cultural heritage sites across Albania continue to attract domestic and international visitors in mid-September. Lezhë Castle remains one of the city’s most visited attractions. It combines history and archaeology with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Since January, the castle has welcomed 5,884 visitors. Most came from Western Europe, with …
The Ministry of Economy and Innovation has launched a fully automated platform to support small and medium-sized businesses applying to the “Double Your Enterprise” program. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the platform simplifies the application process. It also assists businesses at every stage, from expressing interest to preparing …
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said PISA school selection follows rules set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the international consortium managing the assessment. She said the Education Ministry cannot arbitrarily choose or change participating schools. According to Kumbaro, international sampling procedures aim to ensure statistical representation …
Lake Shkodër continues to attract growing numbers of domestic and foreign visitors as one of the region’s major tourism and nature destinations. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared evening images of the lake, highlighting its tourism and natural attractions. UNESCO declared Lake Shkodër a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve in June. The lake …
More than 816,000 visitors stayed in accommodation facilities across Albania in July, with foreign tourists accounting for most of the increase. Data from the Institute of Statistics show that visitors from Kosova, Italy and Poland formed the largest groups among foreign tourists. According to the latest data, accommodation facilities recorded …
The appeal process could change the sentences imposed by the Specialist Chambers in The Hague on September 16 on four former leaders of the Kosova Liberation Army, according to Nevenka Tromp, a researcher at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The court found Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri …
Constitutional expert Kadri Kryeziu has described the Hague sentences against four former leaders of the Kosova Liberation Army as a major disappointment for people in Kosova and Albanians worldwide. Speaking live to RTSH-24 from Prishtina, he said the ruling had shocked public opinion. Kryeziu said the four defendants had served …